Hurricane

The world-famous Hurricane is a Pat O’Brien’s original. The cocktail is a sweet alcoholic drink consisting of rum, passion fruit syrup and limejuice. The drink originated in the 1940s because of the need to use up 50 cases of the less popular rum that the local distributors forced the bar to buy before getting the more popular scotch and whiskey liquors. The drink was given to sailors in a hurricane lamp-shaped glass and the name “hurricane” stuck. The drink quickly become popular and is now one of the must haves when visiting New Orleans’ French Quarter. The Hurricane drink is still served in its classic hurricane glass, but many times it is seen in plastic cups because of local New Orleans drinking laws that prohibit public drinking from glass containers.

A traditional hurricane is served only in a Pat O’Brien’s logo hurricane lamp shaped glass with an orange slice and cherry garnish. The Pat O'Brien's Hurricane glass is one of the most sought-after souvenirs in New Orleans.

In the Bahamas, the hurricane has a slight variation and is known as the Nassau. This island hurricane is a mixture of rum 151, coffee liqueur, Irish cream and Grand Marnier. Another hurricane variation is comprised of 10 cane light rum, vanilla liqueur, orange juice, cranberry juice and lime. But the classic New Orleans Hurricane from Pat O’Brien’s consists of: